Central State University - Campus

Campus

The main campus is located in Wilberforce, 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Xenia, 18 miles (29 km) east of Dayton and midway between Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio (about 55 miles (89 km) from each city). A branch campus (CSU-Dayton) is located in Dayton.

Adjacent to the main campus is an outdoor education area, a natural reserve. Within a hundred yards of the Robeson Center is the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, operated by the Ohio Historical Society.

Student housing

The campus housing complex, which houses approximately 1,650 students, consists of eight residence halls: Williamson Hall (freshmen male), Hunter Hall (co-ed honors), Green Hall (freshmen male), Anderson Hall (freshmen male), College Hall (co-ed honors), Harry-Johns Hall (co-ed honors), Foundation Hall (co-ed upperclassmen), and Foundation Hall II (freshman female).

Benjamin Banneker Science Hall

Originally constructed in 1950 with an addition completed in 1967, Banneker Hall houses science laboratories and a botanical laboratory and greenhouse. The building was demolished in Fall 2010 for a proposed expanded student union center.

Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium

Constructed in 1961, Beacom Gymnasium is the home of the Marauders volleyball and basketball teams and provides office space for the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The original Beacom Gymnasium constructed in 1919 was destroyed by fire in 1971. The natatorium was constructed in 1966.

Hallie Q. Brown Library/Clara A. Henderson Hall College of Education

The Library/College of Education building was completed in 1985 and houses the main library, classrooms, and offices for the College of Education. The library portion of the building is named in honor of long-time educator and public speaker Hallie Q. Brown. The College of Education is named for teacher, department chairperson and dean, Dr. Clara A. Henderson.

Camille O. & William H. Cosby Mass Communication Center

The Cosby Center houses the university's telecommunications programs (including radio, television and print journalism) and the campus-based radio station WCSU-FM. It was constructed in 1958 and named the Lucinda Cook Laboratory Demonstration School.

Galloway/Alumni Tower The Galloway Tower/Walter G. Sellers Alumni

The facility houses the offices of the CSU General Alumni Association. The building was named in honor of Dr. William Galloway, a physician who served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. It was rebuilt following the 1974 tornado that destroyed the original Galloway Hall. Funds to reconstruct the tower were raised by alumni and friends of Central State University. During the university's Centennial celebration in 1987, the Alumni Center was named in honor of Walter G. Sellers Sr., a 1951 CSU graduate.

Jenkins Technology Education Building

Home of the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering, the building is named in honor of Carl C. Jenkins, a superintendent of the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. An earlier building, constructed in 1941, was also named for Jenkins and housed the Physical Education Department, Army ROTC, and Bookstore and Grill. Destroyed in 1974, the original Jenkins Hall housed the audio-visual department, the campus radio station, the bookstore, and office of the CSU Federal Credit Union at the time.

The C.J. McLin International Center for Water Resources Management

Three programs are housed in the facility opened in 1987: Water Resources Management, Geology, and Earth Sciences.

Lackey/Lee Health Center The Lackey/Lee Health Center

Opened in 1978, the center houses administrative offices, examination and treatment rooms, and laboratory facilities. It replaced the former campus health center, also named for Dr. Lackey and earlier known as Tawawa Hospital, which was among the buildings destroyed in 1974. The building is named for Dr. Harry M. Lackey (university physician from 1921 to 1953), Bishop Benjamin F. Lee (president of Wilberforce University from 1876 to 1884), Benjamin F. Lee, Jr. (a faculty member), and Benjamin F. Lee, III (physician who served the campus and the community).

McPherson Memorial Stadium

McPherson Stadium is home to the Marauder football and track and field teams. Originally constructed in 1949, the structure has been renovated to expand and modernize the locker room, training room, and office spaces. It is named in honor of Combined Normal and Industrial Department graduate William Patrick McPherson, who was killed in action in World War II.

Lionel H. Newsom Administration Building

The administration building was dedicated in 1978 and named in honor of Dr. Lionel H. Newsom, president of Central State from 1972 to 1985. It was constructed on the remaining portion of the Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library, heavily damaged in the 1974 tornado. The building houses administrative and financial offices, the administrative computer center, and the Office of the Registrar.

Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center

The Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center houses the art and music departments, classrooms, and studios. It was dedicated in 1978 in honor of the singer, actor, activist and winner of the Stalin Peace Prize, Paul Robeson. The building includes an 850-seat auditorium and a recital hall. A large sculpture of Robeson in front of the center was commissioned by Camille and William Cosby.

Charles S. Smith College of Business

Smith Hall was completed in 1970 and named in honor of Charles S. Smith, founder of the College of Business Administration. It houses the College of Business Administration's classrooms and laboratories and an academic computer center.

Norman E. Ward Sr. University Center

The building houses a bookstore, grill, and commuter lounge, and office spaces for the Admissions Department, Financial Aid Department, Career Services Department, Student Government Association, Housing Department, and the Dean of Students. It is named for 1950 graduate, Norman Ward Sr, an outstanding athlete, teacher, coach, and administrator.

Charles H. Wesley Hall

Wesley Hall houses the College of Arts and Sciences' administrative offices, classrooms and offices. It is named in honor of Central State University's first president, Charles H. Wesley (1941 to 1967).

Center for Education and Natural Sciences

Houses the School of Education and Natural Sciences department of the College of Arts and Sciences.